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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    20 Simple Dump-and-Bake Recipes for Stress-Free Cooking

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on March 29, 2025, updated March 21, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Cooking can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially on busy days. These 20 simple dump-and-bake recipes make it easy to prepare delicious meals with minimal effort. Just toss the ingredients together, pop them in the oven, and enjoy a satisfying dish without the stress.

    Ranch Sheet Pan Chicken & Veggies

    Sheet pan with chicken and veggies.
    Photo credit: Budget Delicious.

    This simple sheet pan chicken dinner with vegetables is great for busy families looking for a healthy meal. Just toss everything together, bake it, and serve—it's really that straightforward!

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    Southwest Chicken Casserole

    .Chicken Casserole
    Photo Credit: My Rad Kitchen.

    Southwest Chicken Casserole is a filling dish that combines tender chicken, zesty spices, and gooey melted cheese. With just one pan and little prep, this meal is perfect for busy weeknights, offering a cozy, slightly smoky flavor that everyone will enjoy.

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    Baked Cod in Foil

    A foil pack with cod and potatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These baked cod packs are simple to prepare and only take 5 minutes to get ready. With cod, tomatoes, potatoes, and lemon all cooked together, this dish is a complete meal that’s easy to enjoy.

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    Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil

    Shrimp boil with sausage and baby corn.
    Photo Credit: Like Hot Keto.

    This sheet pan seafood boil is full of Cajun flavor and is super easy to make in the oven. It features shrimp and andouille sausages seasoned with Creole spices.

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    Chicken Fajita Casserole

    Chicken fajita casserole.
    Photo credit: Two Healthy Kitchens.

    This casserole combines the tasty flavors of chicken fajitas into a simple baked meal. It includes protein-rich black beans and quinoa, all mixed right in the baking dish without any pre-cooking.

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    Baked Chicken Drumsticks & Veggies

    Drumsticks and veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This sheet-pan dinner is perfect for quick weeknight meals. With just a little chopping to begin, you end up with a delicious mix of chicken, veggies, and sauce all cooked together in one pan.

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    Apple Cider Chicken Thighs

    Apple Cider Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: Everyday Eileen.

    Apple Cider Chicken Thighs are crispy and juicy, with a lovely golden brown color. The chicken is baked with a tasty garlic and apple cider glaze that combines sweetness with savory spices, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner or a gathering.

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    Bean & Pasta Casserole

    Bean & Pasta Casserole.
    Photo credit: Hurry The Food Up.

    This vegetarian casserole features hearty white beans, filling pasta, and juicy cherry tomatoes, creating a comforting meal. It's a healthy and satisfying option for dinner.

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    Southern Baked Chicken Thighs

    SOUTHERN BAKED CHICKEN THIGHS.
    Photo credit: Healthy Mom Healthy Family.

    This chicken dish is simple and tasty, using just three ingredients. It turns out crispy and satisfying, perfect for a quick meal.

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    Cajun Chicken Pasta Casserole

    Cajun chicken pasta casserole.
    Photo credit: Practically Homemade.

    Cajun flavors are always a hit, and this casserole is super easy to prepare. You can throw everything together without boiling the pasta first, and it creates a delicious creamy sauce while baking.

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    Baked Lemon Salmon on Veggies

    Baked Lemon Salmon on Veggies.
    Photo credit: Oh Sweet Culture Shock.

    This salmon dish is healthy and quick to make. With fresh lemon slices and herbs, it’s baked to perfection for a juicy and flaky meal that’s great for any night of the week.

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    Bruschetta Chicken Bake

    Bruschetta Chicken Bake.
    Photo Credit: The Recipe Well.

    Bruschetta Chicken Bake is a simple dish perfect for summer. Topped with fresh tomatoes and plenty of parmesan cheese, this chicken dinner is sure to please everyone at the table!

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    Sticky BBQ Chicken Thighs

    Sticky Oven Chicken Thighs BBQ.
    Photo Credit: Sims Home Kitchen.

    Sticky Oven Chicken Thighs BBQ are a great choice for summer meals. They’re juicy inside and have a deliciously sticky coating on the outside, perfect to enjoy with salad, fries, or your favorite sides.

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    Sheet Pan Prosciutto Wrapped Chicken

    Sheet pan prosciutto wrapped chicken.
    Photo credit: Recipes from a Pantry.

    Prosciutto-wrapped chicken is a simple dish that you can prepare quickly and with little effort. It's perfect for a weeknight dinner when you want something tasty without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Pork Chop Pizzaiola

    Pork Chop Pizzaiola.
    Photo Credit: Like Hot Keto.

    Pork Chop Pizzaiola is a simple and tasty dinner that you can have ready in less than 30 minutes using only five ingredients. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you want something easy and satisfying.

    Get the Recipe

    Baked Lamb Chops & Veggies

    Baked lamb chops with veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This sheet pan meal is a simple way to enjoy lamb without the stress of overcooking it. The lamb chops cook in the flavorful juices from the vegetables, resulting in tender meat that is delicious.

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    Roasted Miso Chicken Thighs

    Roasted Miso Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: Cozy Cravings.

    Easy Roasted Miso Chicken Thighs are packed with flavor and require very little effort. They're marinated in a tasty mix of miso, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil, then roasted to perfection, leaving them juicy and ready to be served with extra sauce over rice.

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    Chicken and Brown Rice Casserole

    Chicken and Brown Rice Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Thrifty Jinxy.

    This chicken and brown rice casserole features juicy chicken thighs seasoned with herbs, all baked together for a simple meal. It's easy to prepare and clean up, making it a great option for busy weeknights.

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    No-Boil Ravioli Casserole

    This cheesy ravioli casserole is one of the simplest dishes you can make. With just four simple ingredients and store-bought shortcuts, you can prep this dish in 5 minutes, and eat in under 40!
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This dish is super easy to prepare. With just four ingredients and some ready-made items, you can have it ready in 5 minutes and on the table in under 40.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Gnocchi With Bacon & Mushrooms

    Gnocchi with bacon and mushrooms.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This simple meal uses just 8 ingredients and is perfect for a tasty dinner any night. Featuring soft gnocchi, crispy bacon, earthy mushrooms, and crunchy pine nuts, it’s a dish that everyone will love.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

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      28 Delicious Crockpot Summer Meals That Simmer While You Play
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      22 Stress-Free Chicken Recipes for the Exhausted Cook
    • Cauliflower potato bake,
      26 Vegetable Loaded Casseroles That Will Change Your Dinner Game
    • Lasagna.
      22 Dump-and-Bake Dinners That Will Revolutionize Your Weeknight Meals

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has more than 20 years of experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN  and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, Daily Kos, The Grio, The Asian Parent, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

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